The big weekend is finally here for Pokemon GO fans. Although GO Fest 2020 is a little different this year, it's hardly any less exciting. The big anniversary event is fully remote and players around the globe will be logging in for two full days of crazy spawns, bonuses, and rewards to celebrate four years of the mobile AR game.
With the big event just under a day away and over a million tickets already sold, the PoGO community is buzzing with anticipation and excitement. Players who want to get a head start can begin planning and organizing by taking care of these items today to save time, energy, and frustration tomorrow when the Pokemon GO event is officially underway and there are tons of activities to complete and special spawns to catch.
Keep in mind that there is no one right way to participate in and enjoy Pokemon GO's big anniversary event. Each trainer has something that they love about the game and whether it's collection shiny Pokemon, completing the Pokedex, or Battling with Friends, there should be plenty of activities to keep everyone happy and entertained. That said, the general enjoyment of the event should be enhanced by taking care of these housekeeping items ahead of time...
Hit Level 10
This may seem like a basic one, but many features in Pokemon GO actually don't unlock until players hit the level 10 milestone. To get full enjoyment out of the weekend's activities make sure that any primary or alt accounts that are participating have already hit level 10.
Purchase Your GO Fest 2020 Ticket
Although many of the weekend's spawns and bonuses are available without a ticket, to get the full experience of GO Fest 2020, trainers will want to pick up a ticket to unlock everything. The ticket costs just under $15, which is more than the average Pokemon GO ticketed event, but obviously this one is a little more special and includes two days full of bonuses.
Purchase your Pokémon GO Fest 2020 ticket: If you haven’t yet purchased a ticket, you can pick one up for US$14.99 (or the equivalent in your local currency), plus taxes and fees, and enjoy a weekend of Special Research and encounters with featured Pokémon! Here’s how you can purchase a ticket.
In the shop, tap the Pokémon GO Fest 2020 image.
Tap the Buy button. (Tickets cannot be purchased with PokéCoins.)
After you tap OK, you can find the ticket in your Item Bag.
"You’ll receive a medal commemorating the event. When you open the app during day one, you’ll receive access to the two-day Pokémon GO Fest 2020 experience, including the first Special Research line! Make sure to open the app during day two to receive the second Special Research line."
After you’ve obtained the Special Research lines, you can complete them at any time. Tickets to this event are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service).
Check/Upgrade Your Pokemon Storage
Anyone who has participated in a Community Day event is well aware of how difficult and annoying it can be to manage a ton of exciting spawns when you are constantly trying to make space in your Pokemon Storage and deciding what to keep and what to trash. When a big event like this one rolls around, it's a great time to consider cleaning out your storage and making some extra space before things kick off.
Purchasing some additional storage may be an option for some trainers who aren't already at the limit, but spending money isn't always necessary here. Take a look through everyone Pokemon in your storage and decide what really needs to be there and what can be converted to Candy before things kick off.
Check/Upgrade Your Bag Space
Along the same line of though, players should also manage their Bag Space before before the event kicks off. With tons of Tasks and Special Research happening there are going to be a lot of Rewards flying around and players will want to make sure that they have Bag Space available for all their prizes. Part of the event will likely also involve opening Gifts from Friends, so players will need to have room for those items, as well.
Get Some Incense
In the age of play-at-home bonuses Incense has become incredibly important to the Pokemon GO experience. The once boring item is now super powerful and makes playing the event remotely far more entertaining and rewarding. Be sure to stock up on the item from the Shop before things kick off.
"Make the most out of your experience by using Incense: Incense activated during the event will last for one hour and will be even better at attracting featured Pokémon."
Save The Habitat Rotation Schedule
Take note of when each Habitat is appearing in your local time zone and be ready to make sure you don't miss any of them.
10 AM ET - Battle Habitat
11 AM ET - Friendship Habitat
12 PM ET - Fire Habitat
1 PM ET / 10 AM PT - Water Habitat
2 PM ET / 11 AM PT - Grass Habitat
3 PM ET / 12 PM PT - Battle Habitat
4 PM ET / 1 PM PT - Friendship Habitat
5 PM ET / 2 PM PT - Fire Habitat
6 PM ET / 3 PM PT - Water Habitat
7 PM ET / 4 PM PT - Grass Habitat
8 PM ET / 5 PM PT - Battle Habitat
6 PM PT - Friendship Habitat
7 PM PT - Fire Habitat
8 PM PT - Water Habitat
Save Your Gift Interactions for the Friendship Habitat
This important tip from Niantic should help players make sure they don't get stuck and frustrated during the Friendship habitat activities. Some players send all their Gifts as soon as they log in each morning, but players should resist that urge tomorrow.
As trainers continue working through all of these amazing events, they may want to keep hunting down the best Unova Pokemon in the game if improving their Battle Raid rosters and completing their Pokedex is their primary goal. Be sure to check back in the near future for more Pokemon GO strategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GO is available now in select regions on Android and iOS devices.